The Sweet Home High School Chapter of the National Honor Society
The name of this National Honor Society shall be the Sweet Home High School Chapter of National Honor Society of secondary schools.
Section II:The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, promote worthy leadership, and encourage the development of character in students of Sweet Home High School.
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Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members upon graduation. Graduate and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.
Section II:Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based on the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership and character.
Section III: (Eligibility)A. Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be members of the Junior or Senior Class.
B. To be eligible for selection to membership of this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period of one semester at Sweet Home High School.
C. Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 out of 4.0, also known as a 90%. The scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the required minimum level of achievement for admission to candidacy. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such a standard may be admitted to candidacy for selection to membership.
D. Upon meeting the grade level, attendance, and GPA requirements, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.
Back to topThe selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council. The Faculty Council will consist of five anonymous faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter advisor shall be the sixth, non-voting, ex officio member of the Faculty Council.
Section II:Prior to selection, the following shall occur:
A. Students' academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
B. Students who are eligible scholastically, also known as candidates, shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Student Activity Information Form, 2 character, 2 leadership and 2 service recommendation forms. Candidates must also sign a letter of intent.
C. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate the candidates determined by scholastically using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter adviser.
D. The Faculty Council shall review the Student Activity Information Form, Recommendation Forms to determine membership. Existing attendance records and prior disciplinary actions lodged against the candidate will also be reviewed to provide additional information into the character of the candidate.
Section III:The selection of new active members shall be held once a year during the second semester of the school year.
Section IV:Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
Section V:Once selected and inducted, all members are expected to maintain the standards by which they were selected and maintain all obligations of membership.
Section VI:An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his or her membership in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements, and thereafter, this member must maintain all obligations of membership.
Back to topAny member, who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service, may be considered for dismissal from the Sweet Home High School Chapter of National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership to his or her school and community.
Section II:If a member's cumulative GPA falls below a 3.6 (90%), he or she will be given a written warning and a time period for improvement. If the cumulative GPA remains below the standard at the end of the warning period, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council, which may include consideration or dismissal from the chapter.
Section III:If a member fails to perform any of the published obligations of membership, he or she will be given a written warning and a time period for improvement. If the obligation remains unmet at the end of the warning period, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council, which may include dismissal from the chapter.
Section IV:Violation of the law or school regulations can result in dismissal of a member. These violations include but are not limited to, DWI; stealing; destruction of property; cheating; truancy; or possession, selling or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities.
Section V:Offenders of the school conduct code (profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences and excessive tardiness) will receive written warning and notification. The Faculty Council, student or parent may request a conference. If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be considered for dismissal of the chapter.
Section VI:In all cases pending dismissal:
A. The member will receive written notification indicating the reason for possible dismissal. The member and adviser will discuss the written notification in a conference. Situations that involve flagrant violations of school rules or the law can warrant disciplinary action, although a conference must be held.
B. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge against him or her before the Faculty Council prior to vote on dismissal. The Faculty Council will then vote on whether or not to dismiss. A majority vote of the Faculty Council is required to dismiss any member.
C. The results of the Faculty Council vote will be reviewed by the principal and then, if confirmed, expressed in a letter sent to the student, parents, and principal. Dismissed members must turn in any membership emblems to the adviser.
D. The Faculty Council decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterwards through the school district discipline policy.
E. When a student is dismissed or resigns, he is she is no longer a member and may not be reconsidered for membership in the National Honor Society.
Back to topSection I:
The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and historian.
Section II:Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school year. All returning active members are eligible to run for a position as an officer. All active junior members are eligible to vote. Senior members will not be eligible to vote.
Section III:A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter. In the event of a tie, a second vote shall be taken of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
Section IV:It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings for this chapter. The president will be responsible for organizing/running the events and working closely with the adviser to ensure a successful year.
Section V:It shall be the duty of the vice president to preside in the absence of the president and help with the duties required by all officers of the chapter, including attendance and distribution of letters.
Section VI:The secretary shall keep minutes at meetings and be responsible for attendance and official chapter correspondence.
Section VII:The treasurer shall keep a record of the chapter expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter.
Section VIII:The Historian will be in charge of taking photos and capturing the memories of National Honor Society. The Historian will be in charge of the bulletin board and the chapter scrapbook to ensure the traditions of the Sweet Home Chapter of the National Honor Society can be passed on to future members.
Section IX:If at anytime the chapter feels as though an officer is not fulfilling his or her duties, the chapter will vote on whether or not that officer shall be dismissed from office and replaced.
Back to topThe executive committee shall consist of the faculty adviser and chapter officers.
Section II:The executive committee shall have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter. Any action by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.
Back to topMeetings of this chapter shall be held twice monthly on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month at 7:25 am unless otherwise specified. If for some reason school is not in session on a meeting day, the meeting may be rescheduled.
Section II:All returning members are required to attend a minimum of 10 meetings.
Section III:All new members will be required to attend 5 meetings.
Section IV:All members must arrive on time to the meetings or else credit will not be awarded. The official start of the meeting begins when the president calls the meeting to order. Any member arriving after the meeting has been called to order will not receive credit for the meeting.
Members who are unable to attend meetings due to transportation must contact the president in a timely manner. Additional meetings may be scheduled by the president to meet the needs of these members.
Section V:Failure to attend the minimum number of meetings due to unexcused absences will result in not receiving a tassel at the time of graduation.
Back to topThe chapter shall determine service projects for the year.
Section II:Returning members will be required to attend a minimum of 6 events. Two events will carry over from the year before.
Section III:New members will be required to attend a minimum of 3 events.
Section IV:If a member does not complete the minimum requirement for events, a tassel will not be distributed at the time of graduation.
Back to topEach member of the chapter is granted a certificate and pin with the National Honor Society Symbol on it signifying membership
Section II:Officers will receive guards representing their leadership in the Sweet Home High School chapter of National Honor Society
Back to topUpon the acceptance of membership, a one-time collection of dues in the amount of twenty dollars will be requested from each new member. This has been deemed necessary to help defray the costs of the initiation process. For families that may find the induction fee an undue burden, the option of waiving the dues is available.
Section 2:Due will be payable to the treasurer upon induction.
Back to topThe chapter adviser is given authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.
Section 2:The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter.
Section 3:These bylaws are designed to amplify provisions of the national constitution and cannot contradict any components thereof. The chapter is obligated to adhere to the provisions of the national constitution in all activities it undertakes.
Back to topThese bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the chapter, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given to the members prior to the vote. The exceptions include Articles III and IV, which deal with selection and discipline. These articles may be amended by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal.
Section II:Bylaws and amendments must be consistent with the constitution of the National Honor Society.